5th Grade

Reading 
Most fifth graders are independent readers so stress is placed on higher level skills. The students experience reading for pleasure as well as reading in the content areas, reviewing word attack skills, expanding vocabulary, increasing comprehension, critically assessing the author's message, and gaining a basic understanding of the elements of literature. 

Language Arts
Todd School uses a research-based core language arts program entitled Reading Street.  This program is designed to help teachers build skillful readers and writers through motivating and engaging literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a myriad of reliable teaching tools. This balanced literacy program aligns with the New York State Common Core Standards and integrates technology. Students read selections on a common theme in all genres where oral language literacy and listening skills are stressed. Throughout the week a particular comprehension skill and strategy is taught along with story vocabulary, phonics and spelling, grammar and writing. Students practice these skills multiple times as a whole class, during small group guided reading instruction, independently at practice stations or with peers. Teachers differentiate instruction and have a variety of strategies at hand to create successful readers.

Mathematics 
Primary Mathematics Is the program used for instruction.  Students continue to develop their basic computational skills and the practical applications of these skills.  Fifth grade math topics include place value through the billions, calculations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals.  Higher level geometry and algebra concepts are introduced.  Emphasis is placed on problem solving strategies including model drawing in order to visualize and make sense of multi-step word problems.  Math manipulatives are also used to progress students from the concrete to the abstract.  By focusing on mathematical understanding, this program helps to develop logical thinking, metacognition and critical problem solving skills.

Social Studies
Grade 5 Social Studies is based on the history and geography of the Western Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires; interaction between societies; and the comparison of the government and economic systems of modern nations.  Using the Social Studies/ELA integrated program developed by BOCES, and the New York State Social Studies Framework, students are encouraged to use higher order thinking skills to explore these cultures and societies.

Science 
The primary objectives of the fifth grade program are to instill in our students a thorough understanding of the scientific process, while covering important content areas. Frequent opportunities are given for children to observe, classify and compare. Through an interactive approach, the students learn to become inferential thinkers. Emphasis is placed on using the scientific method to conduct reliable tests. Topics include the study of variables through lab investigations, microworlds, and the human body. 

Homework 
The fifth grade teachers assign homework regularly on Monday through Thursday nights, and occasionally over a weekend.

Daily homework assignments are designed to take approximately one hour to complete. In addition, students must budget their time to complete long-term assignments, i.e. monthly book reports, research reports. 

Reporting to Parents 
Parent/teacher conferences are held in November, April and as needed throughout the year. Report cards are sent home in January and June.